Alternative Health Blog

In a cross-sectional study involving 95 heart failure patients (28 women and 67 men of functional classes 1, 2, or 3; mean age: 62 years; mean serum calcium: 2.41 mmol/L; mean serum vitamin D3: 56.78 nmol/L), 84% were found to have hypovitaminosis D (low vitamin D status). Patients with hyperparathyroidism (serum PTH > 65 ng/L) were found to have lower LVEF (27% vs. 32.5%), and NYHA functional class was found to be worse in patients with hyperparathyroidism. The authors hypothesize that hyperparathyroidism in heart failure patients may adversely impact cardiac function. Furthermore, they conclude, "Vitamin D3 might serve as an adjunctive treatment for heart failure patients."

Reference:
"Calcium and Vitamin D Status in Heart Failure Patients " Garakyaraghi M, Kerdegari M, Siavash M, Biol Trace Elem Res, 2009 Aug 19; [Epub ahead of print].